16th July 2012: Airport, honey and a basket full of goodies!

                                                

"Never had I seen a land so beautiful.

Everywhere there is a blanket of green

so thick that the earth never shows through."

- Errol Flynn, 'My Wicked, Wicked Ways', 1976.

It is often said that Ireland is "The Isle of Smiles". Well, Jamaica is certainly climbing the charts! Wherever you may go on this island paradise, one can be guaranteed a greeting by one of many ubiquitous smiles.

Another assurance is Jamaica's summer climate - hot, and at times, an unforgiving humidity. This morning when we woke, the embracing temperature intimated another crystal clear day to equip our morning drive to Montego Bay, where we were to collect Donna and Monica, (who are scheduled to arrive at 10:30am [01:30am AEST],) at the Sangster International Airport after their marathon flight from Sydney.

The distance from Mammee Bay Estate, where we're staying, is approximately 100km from the airport - the journey can take between 90-120 minutes, depending upon the traffic. Our journey takes us along Route A1 (the national highway) which has two speed limits - 80kph (max) and 50kph in built-up areas with very few passing lanes! If you're stuck behind a local who has decided to drive at 50kph all the way - the journey can become quite protracted. This morning, however, we were permitted a straight run through to Sangster. Michael, Carline and I took the journey, while Gen stayed at the villa.

We finally arrive at Montego Bay, and the airport - not after taking a left in lieu of a right hand turn! I park the vehicle whilst Michael and Carline head towards 'arrivals' to rendezvous with Donna and Monica. Bear in mind, this meeting represents the first time members of our family, apart from Gen and I, would have met Carline.


I set off to find the family. After several circuitous turns of ever decreasing circles....I find them. The scene is akin to friends who have been reunited after years of absence, and as though they have never been separated. Hugs, kisses and garrulous chatter abound. As with Gen and I, Monica and Donna discovered Carline a gorgeous individual possessing a beautiful personality who mirrors the Jamaican soul. Yea' Mon!
We finally leave the airport and make our way back to Mammee Bay. Now, I'd always thought that drivers' in Italy took the cake for pushing the envelope where road rules are concerned. Nothing can prepare one the experience of driving in Jamaica. Some drivers may employ a 'double-overtake' or a 'triple over-take' - but, to hurtle along well above the maximum speed limit and then to overtake two other vehicles which are already in process of overtaking on a bend, with oncoming traffic literally metres away, is indeed heart-stopping.  However, these drivers display this dangerous contempt with stickers on the rear of their vehicles! A new experience for Donna and Monica, although we did arrive at the villa in one piece.

Just a note about this villa we're staying in, 'Villa Caribbean Dawn'. It's designed upon the British Colonial style, as Jamaica was a British colony up until 1962. British influence is still evident throughout Jamaica, not only through architecture but also vide surviving agrarian walls.  The living area of the Villa is enormous with four spacious bedrooms and three bathrooms. It's surrounding grounds abound with banana, bread fruit, and mango trees; which are complemented by colourful flower gardens. The  dwelling is maintained by a Housekeeper, Nellie (at left in pic), whilst grounds are tendered twice a week by a contracted gardener. The Villa is managed by Suzanne Allen (at right in pic), whose role is the Liaison Visitor manager.

Michael and Carline have errands to attend concerning their wedding on Wednesday. Soon after Donna and Monica have settled their chattels in the Villa, we pile into the vehicle and set off for Ochos Rios. Ochos Rios is about a ten minute drive from the Villa, and a sight to behold - a congestion of humanity, vehicle and a cacophony of blaring car horns. It can be liked to a massive street party where everyone has been invited! Through this chaos one gets the feeling of being alive. However, the first item on the agenda is to find a supermarket, so we can stock up on additional victuals. We had stopped at a small market on our way from the airport - but, we were in need of fresh vegetables.
                          

                                       "At the market you can hear,

                                        ladies cry out while on their heads they bear,

                                        acky rice, salt, fish are nice

                                       and the rum is fine any time a year."

Regrettably, Maria is not with us, nor is her ability to influence the potency of St Frances Xavier of Cabrini - 'The Patron Saint of Parking Spaces' (No...I'm not joking). Albeit, with profound scepticism I pass a cynical aside to Gen, and low and behold a parking space materialises right opposite a supermarket, 'Seow's Supercentre'! Gen and I alight from the vehicle and gingerly make a B-line towards the supermarket.

Now, Jamaicans are very engaging, they look you in the eye and with a broad smile and say, "Yea Mon" in greeting. If they realise you are a visitor they shake your hand in welcome and ask where you are from. When you tell them you're from Australia, they look at you wide-eyed as though you've travelled from the other side of the galaxy.

We survive crossing the road and enter "Seow's". The first thing which strike you are the tantalising aroma of .... SPICES! 

Negotiating the aisles of this supermarket is a lesson in navigation. It is a rabbit warren stocked to the gills with wondrous goodies. Gen and I go berserk, selecting fresh vegetables, spices and other condiments. With a trolley burgeoned with purchases we make our way through to the narrow aisled check-outs. The Jamaican lass scans our purchases, and when she comes to the vegetables - she stops and advises us we need to weigh our viands. This posed no problem, she called over a staff member who took the veggies to weigh them.

Leaving the supermarket we returned to the car, where Michael guides us to the hotel/resort where their wedding reception is to be held: 'Silver Seas Hotel', and pass by the church on our way home.